Category: Prison
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part Two: The Murder of Randy Sherer
The story of Marvin Haynes is also the story of Harry Sherer — a 55-year-old man who lived a few blocks from his family’s flower shop who everyone called by his nickname, Randy. Most days, Randy walked to the shop to sit and talk to…
Family of AJ Stewart Speak on Patterns of White Supremacy That Led to His Killing Over a Parking Spot
Saint Paul, MN – The trial of Brian Kjellberg, who was charged with 2nd degree murder for killing Arnell ‘AJ’ Stewart over a parking spot, begins late March. Unicorn Riot recently sat down with the Poet Laureate of San Francisco and cousin of Stewart, Tongo…
Jury Convicts Robert West for his Role in Dismembering Ricky Balsimo
Grand Marais, MN – For the grisly murder of Ricky Balsimo, Robert Thomas West was found guilty on Feb. 8, 2023, of Accomplice After the Fact to Felony Murder in the 2nd degree and aiding an offender in dismembering and disposing of Balsimo’s dead body…
Harris County Jail Crisis in Houston, Texas Kills Dozens
The Harris County Jail is the third-largest jail in the U.S. and the largest jail in Texas. Located in Houston, it also confines the most people with mental illness in the state. Despite its complicated history, the public is largely unaware of the myriad issues at the jail. This report covers how the massive backlog of felony cases and pretrial detention contribute to the deaths of dozens of detainees amid overcrowding, medical crises, and a lack of mental health services.
The Case of Marvin Haynes – Part One
Minneapolis, MN – The grainy surveillance camera footage shows a small interrogation room—fifteen-by-fifteen, white walls, short cut-pile dark carpet, circular table, and a blue swivel chair. A door on the far wall stands open to the hallways and cubicles beyond. The date in the corner…
NYE Misdemeanor Riot Charges Taken to Trial
Minneapolis, MN – Two years after being arrested during a New Year’s Eve noise demo and charged with misdemeanor riot, one person has taken her case to trial this week in which her supporters are calling on the broader community for court support. [UPDATE: Justina…
Prisoners in Greece: Hunger Strike as a Weapon
Responding to the Greek government’s continuous attack on prisoners’ rights, inmates have waged seven hunger strikes in prisons across Greece over the last three years — many of which have been successful.
According to the prisoners and their supporters, authorities target certain incarcerated people and…
‘You’re Important to Us!’: Tucson Rings in the New Year with Raucous Jail Protest
Tucson, AZ – Dwarfed by a four-story edifice of concrete and concertina wire, two boys passed a bullhorn back and forth between them, egging each other on and giggling at their game.
“Your lives matter!” one of them yelled at the rows of narrow windows…
Asking for Leonard Peltier’s Clemency, Senators Co-Sign Letter to Pres. Biden
Washington, D.C. – On Nov. 29, 2022, seven senators including Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) co-signed a letter to President Biden requesting the president grant clemency to political prisoner Leonard Peltier.
“We write to request that you grant clemency to Native American rights…
Nicholas Kraus Gets 20 Years for Ramming Protest, Killing Deona Marie
Minneapolis, MN – Nicholas Kraus was given a 20 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder for killing Deona Marie Erickson, who also went by Knajdek, and injuring others during a protest for Winston Smith in 2021. Driving a Jeep, Kraus purposely…
Tyler Newby Sentenced to One Year Home Detention for Killing Dorian Murrell
Indianapolis, IN – Tyler Newby was sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 10, to one year of house detention for killing unarmed teenager Dorian Murrell during protests for George Floyd in Indianapolis in 2020. Charged with murder, Newby was convicted of reckless homicide in a bench trial…
Leonard Peltier AIM ‘Walk to Justice’ from MN to D.C. Started With a Dream [AIM Arrives in D.C.]
Minneapolis, MN – Over the past two years, leaders within the American Indian Movement (AIM) organized a 1,103-mile walk from “the heart of AIM” in Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. “to seek elder Leonard Peltier’s release,” according to the main organizer Rachel Thunder. The walk’s primary…
ELF Saboteur Joseph Dibee Sentenced to Time Served
Joseph Mahmoud Dibee, a 54-year-old environmental activist and former Earth Liberation Front saboteur, was sentenced to time served today after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson and one count of arson. Dibee was also ordered to complete 1,000 hours of community…
Dorian Murrell’s Family Call Lesser Conviction of His Killer ‘Concrete Proof of Systemic Racism’
"The life of Dorian Murrell was stolen and is worth more than a maximum of six-years."
Alabama Prison Strike on Hold After 3 Weeks
Alabama – Prisoners in Alabama announced on Oct. 14 that they had paused their historic three-week work stoppage. The strike, which started Sept. 26, involved thousands of prisoners throughout the state, causing the breakdown of normal operations at most major male prisons this month.
According…
Protesters Converge on State Capitol in Solidarity with Alabama Prison Strike
Montgomery, AL – On the 19th day of the statewide prisoner work strike on Friday, about 100 people gathered in front of the Alabama State Capitol Building in support of the thousands of prisoners currently striking.
On Oct. 7, the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC)…
Animal Activists Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail, 12 Months Probation
Abbotsford, B.C., Canada – On Wednesday morning, animal rights activists Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer were sentenced to 30 days in jail, 12 months of probation, and are required to provide their DNA to the National DNA Data Bank.
Soranno and Schafer were able to…
Two Animal Rights Activists Await Wednesday Sentencing
Abbotsford, B.C., Canada – This coming Wednesday morning, the two Excelsior 4 animal rights activists who were found guilty of two counts on July 9, 2022, will be sentenced. The Crown is seeking 90 days in jail for both Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer, but…
Alabama Prisoners Explain Why They’re Striking
Prisoners across Alabama launched a coordinated work stoppage Monday, refusing to attend their work assignments and essentially shutting down normal operations of the prison system in the state.
Although the exact number of prisoners on strike is unknown, an outside organizer with prisoner support group…
DAPL Saboteur Ruby Montoya Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison
Des Moines, IA – Ruby Montoya, admitted Dakota Access Pipeline saboteur, stepped out of a car Wednesday morning in front of the federal courthouse in Des Moines, Iowa, and walked quietly into the building. Her dark hair was pulled back into a low bun and…
‘Running Down the Walls’ Marathon Benefit for Prisoners in Philly
Philadelphia, PA – An annual 5K run/walk/roll benefit called “Running Down the Walls” aims to amplify the voices of political prisoners and provide material support, according to Philadelphia Anarchist Black Cross, the host of today’s event in South Philly’s FDR Park. Organizers say this year’s…
“Philadelphia Three” Political Prisoner Khalif Miller Languishes Pre-Trial in Federal Prison
Philadelphia, PA – Federal inmate in the Bureau of Prisons, Khalif Miller, says his rights are being violated while in prison awaiting trial on federal arson charges from the 2020 anti-police uprisings. Miller said he hadn’t had an attorney visit for his first 19 months…
Two Animal Rights Activists Found Guilty, Face Sentencing of up to 10 Years
Abbotsford, B.C., Canada – Two of the three defendants from the Excelsior Hog Farm trial—Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer—were found guilty on two felonies on July 9, 2022, one for break and enter to commit mischief, and one for mischief. Roy Sasano was acquitted.
The…